Slaters Wheels

[mfsyoung]

I bought some Slaters wheels recently for my MOK 4MT from the S7 stores.

On assembly I found that the wheels were loose on their square axle which was caused by the countersunk machine screw bottoming on the axle and not tightening the wheel. At a guess I would say that the gap was about 1mm between the wheel and the shoulder on the axle.

The solution, of course, was to put a file to the end of the axle and take it down so that the screw clamps the wheel to the axle . Then the wheel was tight and after doing both sides the back to back was correct.

However, I do expect something better than this from Slaters.

Anyone else experience the same or is this an isolated case?

 

[AndyB]

Michael.
Did you report the problem to Slaters? Yes, maybe their quality control should have picked up on the issue - but as it clearly didn't in this case I'm sure they would want to know about it, so they can determine why it happened and prevent it happening again.

Andy

 

[mfsyoung]

Andy,

I have sent an email to Paul at S7 stores and presume that as he has a stock of them he will report the issue to Slaters. I will wait for his reply before contacting Slaters.

 

[Steph Dale]

Erm, isn't this issue more to do with the thinning of the wheel to S7 standards, rather than a Slater's issue?

Just a thought...

Steph

 

[mfsyoung]

Erm, isn't this issue more to do with the thinning of the wheel to S7 standards, rather than a Slater's issue?

Just a thought...

Steph

Well whatever it is, the wheels came sealed in a Slaters bubble card, so the issue is still with Slaters.

 

[David Taylor]

I have had what I think is a similar problem with 7FS Slaters wheels. The threaded hole in the axle didn't seem to be deep enough so the screw didn't sit tight against the wheel hub. I cut a few mm off the threaded end of the screws.

David.

 

[mfsyoung]

I have had what I think is a similar problem with 7FS Slaters wheels. The threaded hole in the axle didn't seem to be deep enough so the screw didn't sit tight against the wheel hub. I cut a few mm off the threaded end of the screws.

David.

I did suspect that in the first place but I tightened the screw up without the wheel and it went all the way so then I took some off the axle which solved the problem. Looks like two problems not one!

 

[David Taylor]

I have been thinking recently the squared axle ends are more trouble than they're worth. I had a set in storage for a few years and when I used them the quartering was out. Not sure why, the wheel moulding look pretty inert and don't feel like they'd warp, but it required some delicate twisting to get the quartering back.

Not having squared ends would also remove the need for separate ScaleSeven axles, and make more robust split axles possible.

But given the number of wheelsets in use the system obviously works pretty damned well for almost everyone and is a selling point for people without lathes, so I think I'll experiment with boring the squares out of the wheel bosses at some point.

 

[28ten]

I have been thinking recently the squared axle ends are more trouble than they're worth. I had a set in storage for a few years and when I used them the quartering was out. Not sure why, the wheel moulding look pretty inert and don't feel like they'd warp, but it required some delicate twisting to get the quartering back.

Not having squared ends would also remove the need for separate ScaleSeven axles, and make more robust split axles possible.

But given the number of wheelsets in use the system obviously works pretty damned well for almost everyone and is a selling point for people without lathes, so I think I'll experiment with boring the squares out of the wheel bosses at some point.

Be very careful, the brass insert can turn on the wheel moulding as the square is bored out........

 

[Pugsley]

I managed to drill and ream mine OK, just take it gently.

 

[28ten]

I managed to drill and ream mine OK, just take it gently.

You are probably more patient than me as you say just be gentle and spoked wheels will need plenty of support

 

[Pugsley]

You are probably more patient than me

Probably not!

Mine were diesel wheels, which may have helped.

 

[David Taylor]

OK, thanks for the warning.

 

[Wagonman]

Erm, isn't this issue more to do with the thinning of the wheel to S7 standards, rather than a Slater's issue?

Just a thought...

Steph

The wheels for the 4MT are specially made by Slaters for the S7 Group and are not just cut down FS types.

 

[Steph Dale]

The wheels for the 4MT are specially made by Slaters for the S7 Group and are not just cut down FS types.

Aah, that makes all the difference; thanks for the clarification. So, yes, it's a Slater's problem. Shame really, I'm of the opinion that their recent FS wheels have been better produced of late...

Steph